Treasurer, 2015 – 2016

Postdoctoral Associate, University of Sheffield

Background

Having had a previous life in IT, with a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy, I decided that it wasn’t for me and went back to University in my late 20s to study for a B.Sc. in Environmental Science (Stirling) and a consequent Ph.D. in Palaeoecology (Southampton). Following my Ph.D. my research centred on understanding Holocene climate gradients along the eastern Canadian seaboard. Here I was lucky enough to visit fantastic and exhilarating field-sites in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador.

In February of 2013, I made the jump up t’North and joined Sheffield University as a University Teaching Assistant. During this time, I ran a plethora of undergraduate and postgraduate modules and supervised undergraduate, masters, and PhD research students. One of who went on to become our Social Media committee member. On a field visit to Svalbard, a serendipitous chat with Prof. Andy Hodson led to a 3-year PostDoc on the EU-funded LowPerm project, which I started in April 2015.

Current Research

I am currently in the first year of a 3 year PostDoc on the Sheffield-led LowPerm project, which brings together scientists from the UK, Norway, Denmark, and Russia. The objective of the project is to quantify thaw-driven biogas production and nutrient exports from Eurasian permafrost. My contribution to the project is the quantification and understanding of microbial processes and redox evolution of permafrost soils. I also work on reconstructing and establishing the landscape evolution and carbon accumulation history of western Spitsbergen. You can find more information on the LowPerm website.

Contacts

Email (@polarnetwork.org): gunnar.mallon
Web: www.sheffield.ac.uk/geography/staff/mallon_gunnar/index
Twitter: @GunnarMallon (complete randomness)
Instagram: GunnarMallon